University of Houston. Hystad, Rev. John Eric - Hystad transcript, 1 of 2. August 3, 2006. Special Collections, University of Houston Libraries. University of Houston Digital Library. Web. August 2, 2015. http://digital.lib.uh.edu/collection/houhistory/item/1244/show/1242.

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University of Houston. (August 3, 2006). Hystad, Rev. John Eric - Hystad transcript, 1 of 2. Oral Histories from the Houston History Project. Special Collections, University of Houston Libraries. Retrieved from http://digital.lib.uh.edu/collection/houhistory/item/1244/show/1242

Disclaimer: This is a general citation for reference purposes. Please consult the most recent edition of your style manual for the proper formatting of the type of source you are citing. If the date given in the citation does not match the date on the digital item, use the more accurate date below the digital item.

University of Houston, Hystad, Rev. John Eric - Hystad transcript, 1 of 2, August 3, 2006, Oral Histories from the Houston History Project, Special Collections, University of Houston Libraries, accessed August 2, 2015, http://digital.lib.uh.edu/collection/houhistory/item/1244/show/1242.

Disclaimer: This is a general citation for reference purposes. Please consult the most recent edition of your style manual for the proper formatting of the type of source you are citing. If the date given in the citation does not match the date on the digital item, use the more accurate date below the digital item.

This interview with Rev. Hystad was conducted on August 3, 2006 at his office at the Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Dr, Houston, Texas 77057.
The pastors of the church selected Rev. Hystad to ascertain what assistance the church could offer the countywide effort that was being mobilized to assist the New Orleans evacuees. After several inquiries it was determined that there was a need to provide cooked meals for the people who were housed at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.
To successfully conduct this effort, Rev. Hystad called upon the Texas Baptist Men, which is a group that is experienced in providing hot meals in such times of disasters. However, this required the gathering and training of volunteers. Once the word went out, Second Baptist Church called upon all denominations to assist in this endeavor code named Operation Compassion. Over the three weeks of active relief work, a multi-denominational response to the call for help netted tens of thousands of trained volunteers who helped with all aspects of food reparation for the evacuees and the army of workers.
The interview was conducted by Ernesto Valdés, Center for Public History, University of Houston where the tape is deposited in M.D. Anderson Library on the main campus of the university.

Educational use only, no other permissions given. Copyright to this resource is held by the content creator, author, artist or other entity, and is provided here for educational purposes only. It may not be reproduced or distributed in any format without written permission of the copyright owner. For more information please see the UH Digital Library Fair Use policy on the "About" page of this website.

File Name

index.cpd

▼

Item Description

Title

Hystad transcript, 1 of 2

Format (IMT)

application/pdf

File Name

hhaoh_201207_164c.pdf

Transcript

HHA# 00533
Interviewee: Hystad, Rev., John Eric
Interview: August 3, 2006
University of Houston i Houston History Archives
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
ORAL HISTORY OF HOUSTON PROJECT
HOUSTON’S RESPONSE TO THE
VICTIMS OF HURRICANES KATRINA AND RITA
AN INTERVIEW WITH
Rev. John Eric Hystad
This interview with Rev. Hystad was conducted on August 3, 2006 at his office at the Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Dr, Houston, Texas 77057.
The pastors of the church selected Rev. Hystad to ascertain what assistance the church could offer the countywide effort that was being mobilized to assist the New Orleans evacuees. After several inquiries it was determined that there was a need to provide cooked meals for the people who were housed at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.
To successfully conduct this effort, Rev. Hystad called upon the Texas Baptist Men, which is a group that is experienced in providing hot meals in such times of disasters. However, this required the gathering and training of volunteers. Once the word went out, Second Baptist Church called upon all denominations to assist in this endeavor code named Operation Compassion. Over the three weeks of active relief work, a multi-denominational response to the call for help netted tens of thousands of trained volunteers who helped with all aspects of food reparation for the evacuees and the army of workers.
The interview was conducted by Ernesto Valdés, Center for Public History, University of Houston where the tape is deposited in M.D. Anderson Library on the main campus of the university. HHA# 00533
Interviewee: Hystad, Rev., John Eric
Interview: August 3, 2006
University of Houston ii Houston History Archives
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 1
Response to Katrina 2
“Operation Compassion” and Volunteers 10
Structural Position of “Operation Compassion” 14
Daily Routines 18
Negative Reactions 20
Anecdotes 22
Personal Reflections 25